Switch means for controlling an animation device in a figure toy



Oct. 6, 1970 I M. CITRON 3,531,890

SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATION DEVICE IN A FIGURE TOY FiledFeb. 8, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ava 14 702.

5 Shets-Sheet 2 0 a 6 m 4 4 5 M Z 3a! 3 2 2 7 4 4 42 a 0 h n Wm Q 2 a l2 r .M a n a mm M m m w M 3 i flm-n KHZ "H n v wnfim Q 4 1 1 2 J, v, l:L 4. 7; J41 V .J .f Mn 2 Z 6 2 4, mm Z m H M n r d e B I F 2 2 W 3 M.CITRON SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATION DEVICE IN A FIGURE TOYFiled Feb. 8, 1968 Oct. 6, 1970 M. CITRON 3,531,890

SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATION DEVICE IN A FIGURE TOY FiledFeb. 8, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Irv-49103 M. CITRON 3,531,890

SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATION DEVICE IN A FIGURE TOY Oct. 6,1970 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 8, 1968 Ila-(rm:

M. .CITRON 3,531,890

SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATION DEVICE IN A FIGURE TOY Oct. 6,1970 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 8, 1968 Wyn rats frzazovzrx UnitedStates Patent 0 3,531,890 SWITCH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANIMATIONDEVICE IN A FIGURE TOY Manning Citron, San Marina, and Melvin R.Kennedy,

Compton, Calif., assignors to Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne,

Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 704,056Int. Cl. A63h 33/26 US. Cl. 46227 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREFlow of electric current to electrically-operated animation means, suchas light bulbs and a buzzer, is controlled by switch means including avibratile contact which is caused to vibrate by movement of aswitch-closing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention will be setforth in two parts:

Field of the invention The present invention pertains generally toswitch means in figure toys and more particularly to switch means forcontrolling an animation device in a figure toy.

Description of the prior art One example of the switch means forcontrolling an animation device in a figure toy may be found in US.

Pat. No. 2,794,298 wherein neon tubes are mounted behind eye-simulatingwindows in a figure toy. The neon tubes are caused to blink bycapacitors which take a considerable period of time to charge to theionization potential of the neon tubes. The charge on the capacitorsdrops quickly. Thus, the period when the neon tubes are not glowing isvery long, while the period of glow is very short.

One disadvantage with switches of this type resides in the fact thatneon tubes and capacitors are somewhat complicated and expensive for usein a figure toy.

Another disadvantage resides in the fact that this type of switch meansdoes not readily adapt itself to the rough usage to which the figure toymay be subjected by child users thereof.

Another example of switch means for controlling an animation device in afigure toy may be found in US. Pat. No. 2,933,853 wherein a light bulbsupplies light to simulated eyes, a simulated nose and a simulatedcarrot through light piping. A bi-metallic strip is provided in thelight bulb to periodically interrupt current flowing to its filament.

Switch means of this type have the disadvantage that the bulb may becomedamaged when the toy is subjected to rough treatment. Additionally, thistype is not readily available in a small enough size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing factors and conditionscharacteristic of switch means for controlling an animation device in afigure toy, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anew and useful switch means not subject to the disadvantages enumeratedabove and having a vibratile contact means engageable by a switchclosingmeans for rapidly energizing and deenergizing an animation device in afigure toy efficiently, safely and expeditiously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch means ofthe type described which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, isof rugged construction and has a long life.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a switch meansof the type described which includes a vibratile contact which is causedto vibrate by movement of a switch-closing member for rapidly energizingand deenergizing an animation device in a figure toy.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful wireclip for connecting an electric lead in a circuit.

According to the present invention, a figure toy includeselectrically-operated animation means and means for supplying electriccurrent to the animation means. Flow of current from the supply means tothe animation means is controlled by a new and useful switch meansincluding a fixed contact means, a vibratile contact means engageablewith the fixed contact means, circuit means connecting the contact meansto the animation means and to the current supply means andswitch-closing means engageable with the vibratile contact means formoving it against the fixed contact means. The switch-closing meansincludes means for vibrating the vibratile contact means into and out ofengagement with the fixed contact means so that the animation means israpidly energized and deenergized.

The animation means is shown for purposes of illustration, but not oflimitation, as including a first light bulb mounted in an accessoryholder simulating a ray gun carried by one arm of the figure toy, asecond light bulb mounted in the torso of the figure toy behind a lensmounted in the chest of the figure toy. The second bulb is incommunication with elongated light-conducting, object-illuminating rodscarrying light from the second bulb to simulated eyes in the figure toy.The animation means may also include an electric buzzer.

The figure toy is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not oflimitation, as comprising a doll simulating an explorer of otherplanets. The switch means of the present invention is mounted in aback-pack connected to the doll. This back-pack also carries a pair ofdry cells for energizing the animation means and includes a simulatedantenna carried by a plate which may be slid to a position eXpOSingapertures adapted to receive electrical jacks for connecting accessorymeans to the dry cells.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth wtih particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objectives and advantages thereof, may best be understoodby reference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thelike elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view,with parts broken away to show internal construction, of a figure toy ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear-elevational view of the toy of FIG. 1, with partsbroken away to show internal construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of an electrical supply andcontrol means forming part of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a reduced, cross-sectional view taken approximately along line44 of FIG. 3 and having certain parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first illuminateable accessory meanswhich may be connected to the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

partial, exploded perspective FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second acessorymeans which may be connected to the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the accessory meansof FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third accessory means which may beconnected to the toy figure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 1212 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. -13 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a chest lens of thetoy of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective similar to FIG. 13 looking in at the sideopposite that shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to the drawings,a figure toy constituting a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention, generally designated 10, is shown herein for purpose-s ofillustration, but not of limitation, as comprising a doll having a torso12 to which a pair of legs 14, 16 are swingably mounted on plugs 18, 20,respectively, provided on torso 12. A left arm 22 and a right arm 24 arealso swingably connected to torso 12 by any suitable means, such as theconnecting means 26 shown for the right arm 24. Connecting means 26includes a hollow pin or boss 28 which is formed integrally with arm 24and which is rotatably received in a hollow cylindrical member 30provided on torso 12 adjacent a shoulder opening 32. Pin 28 carries afinger 34 engageable with a first stop pin 36 (FIG. 1) and a second stoppin 38 limiting movement of arm 24 from the position shown in FIG. 1 toa downwardly-directed position.

Torso 12 is provided with a cylindrical neck post 40 non-rotatablyreceiving a doll head 42. Torso 12 includes a chest portion 44 which isprovided with an aperture 46 in which a light-transmitting lens 48 maybe mounted. The play value of toy 10 may be enhanced by impartingsuitable colors, such as red, blue, green or the like, to lens 48, aswill become apparent hereinafter. A hollow bracket 50 extends from therear wall 52 of torso 12 forwradly toward lens 48 in alignment therewithand includes a free end 54 which carries a holder 56 receiving a smalllight bulb 58 maintained in position therein by a clip 59. Asubstantially v-shaped, light-conducting illuminating rod 60 has itsapex portion 62 received in holder 56 and includes a pair of arms 64, 66extending upwardly through neck post 40 to a position behind a pair ofeye sockets, like the one shown at 68 in FIG. 1, provided in head 42.Arms '64, 66 are each bent forwardly at a substantially right angle, asshown at 70 for arm 64, providing an extension 72 having an end 74positioned immediately behind an associated eye socket 68. Alight-transmitting button 76 may be connected to each end 74 simulatingeyes in head 42. Bracket 50 includes a chamber 78 which communicateswith a hollow boss 80 formed on rear wall 52 for frictionally receivinga hollow boss 82 connecting a simulated backpack 84 to torso 12.

An accessory holder 86 may be provided on the end of arm 24 for bothsimulating a ray gun and for receiving accessories which may beilluminated by a light bulb 88 provided in accessory means 86. Accessorymeans 86 includes a housing 89 having a closed rear wall 90 and a frontwall 92. Front wall 92 is provided with an aperture 94 in which anaccessory receiver 96 is mounted. Receiver 96 includes a rearcylindrical .portion 98 receiving light bulb 88 and a front, openportion 100 adapted to receive suitable accessory means, such as a spear102, a shield 1 04 and a simulated gun barrel extension (FIGS. 6-1 2).

Spear 102 includes a cylindrical member 106 having light-trnasmittingcapability and a reduced-diameter portion 108 adapted to be engaged inopen end 100 of receiver 96 so that spear 102 may be illuminated byenergizing light bulb 88. The cylindrical member 106 is flanked by apair of plates 110, 112 which may be made from a suitable clear plasticmaterial so that the light emitted by cylindrical member 106 will bevisible through plates 110, 112, The outer surface 114 of each plate110, 112 is frosted in well known manner for subduing the light emittedby cylindrical member 106.

Shield 104 may be made from any clear plastic material havinglight-transmitting capability and includes a body portion 116 and a pin118. Pin 118 may be engaged in open end 100 of receiver 96 forconnecting shield 104 to accessory holder 86 so that shield 104 may beilluminated by energizing light bulb 88. Body portion 116 in cludes aface 119 of front-reflecting material and is provided with a conicalcavity 120 which is aligned with pin 118 for receiving light therefrom.Approximately half of this light will be refracted through theencompassing side wall 122 of cavity 120 while the remaining light isreflected from side wall 122. This reflected light is transmitted alongpredetermined paths Within body portion 116, as indicated by arrow 123for one path, to a peripheral lens 124 forming an integral part of bodyportion 116. Reflected light from side wall 122 is then reflected bylens 124 to the upper surface thereof, as indicated by arrow 126. Lightissues from the surface of lens 124 as a tiny, concentrated beam 128 foreach path provided in body member 116. These paths are formed in bodymember 116 by molding pyramid shaped recesses 130 into the rear face 131thereof. These recesses are like the recesses provided in reflectors ofthe type commonly used on bicycles, except that the recesses 130 arepositioned 45 out of phase with respect to the position of such recessin well known bicycle reflectors.

The simulated gun barrel extension 105 includes a light-transmitting rod134 having a first end 136 engageable in open end 100 of receiver 96 anda second end 138 affixed to an end wall 140 forming part of a hollow,substantially cylindrical housing 142 encompassing rod 134. End wall 140is provided with a conical cavity 144 and a plurality of sausage-shapedlands 146. Housing 142 is made from a clear plastic so that theencompassing wall 148 of cavity 144 will transmit approximately 50% ofthe light issuing from end 138 of rod 134 and will reflect approximately50% thereof in such a manner that lands 146 are illuminated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 13 and 14, the lens 48 may be made from aclear plastic material, such as Lucite, and includes a rear face 48a anda front face 48b. A plurality of louvers 480 are molded into rear face48a for directing light from bulb 58- upwardly at'a slight angle from asubstantially horizontal plane passing through lens 48. In addition, aplurality of hemispherical lenses 48d may be formed on face 48b forconcentrating light passing through lens 48. Lenses 48d may be arrangedin radial rows 48:: like spokes of a wheel and may have alternating rowspainted in different colors giving the illusion to some observers thatlens 48 rotates when subjected to a flashing light.

Referring now more in particular to FIGS. 3-5, back pack 84 includes ahousing 150 having a top wall 152,

a front wall 154, a rear wall 156, a pair of side walls 158, and'an openbottom 162. H0using 150 is provided with a pair of battery chambers 164,166 adapted to receive a pair of dry cells 168 and 170, respectively,

which may be retained in position by a removable lid 172 havingresilient flanges 174, 176 which may be snapped over beads 178, 180,respectively. An electrical conductor 182 is mounted in lid 172 andincludes a first end 184 engageable with the positive terminal 186 ondry cell 168. Conductor 182 also includes a second end 188 engageablewith the negative terminal 189 on dry cell 170.

The negative terminal 190 on dry cell 168 is engaged by an electricalcontact 192 provided on a bus bar 194 having a first leg 196 mounted ina substantially horizontally plane in the upper portion of housing 150and a second leg 198 extending downwardly into housing 150. Bus bar 194is supported within housing 150 by a lug 200, which is formed on sidewall 160 and which engages a clip 202 provided on leg 196, and by a pin204, which is affixed to rear wall 156 of housing 150 and which engagesbus bar 194 at the intersection 206 of legs 196 and 198.

The positive terminal 208 on dry cell 170 engages an electrical contact210 provided on an electrical conductor 212 aflixed to rear wall 156 ofhousing 150 by a securement means 214 and to side Wall 1 60 by a smallbracket 216 having a protuberance 218 engaged in a hollow, hemisphericalmember 220 formed on an electrical contact 222 forming an integral partof conductor 212. A vibratile contact means 224 is electricallyconnected to conductor 212 by a connector means 226 (FIG. 4) andincludes a first leg 228 extending from conductor 212 to a neck portion230 from which a second leg 232 extends along side leg 228. Leg 232includes a free end 234 which carries an electrical contact 236 adaptedto engage a fixed electrical conductor 238 intermittently when vibratilecontact means 224 is vibrated. A predetermined mass or weight 240 isafiixed to neck 230- for continuing vibratile contact means 224 inmotion when it is moved in the manner of a pendulum carrying mass 240through a path defined by arrow 242. Vibratile contact means 224 may bemoved and started vibrating by engaging a branch portion 244 of leg 228with a pin 246 carried by a switch-closing means 248 during movement ofswitch-closing means 248 to a switch closing position which movesportion 246 past portion 244. This causes leg 232 to pivot about a pin250 so that contact 236 will engage fixed electrical conductor 238.Vibratile contact means 224 may be made from an electrical-conductingmaterial Which is somewhat springy so that vibratile contact means 224will continue to vibrate under the influence of mass 240 after thependulum-type swing comes to an end. The leg 232 is free to seek its ownnodal point. The pin 250 is located at this point and the leg 232 isbiased into engagement therewith so that leg 232 will not float up anddown at the nodal point during vibration thereof. This maintains energyin the system for a maximum period of time.

Fixed electrical conductor 238 may be made from a single, flatstrip ofelectrical conducting material bent to the shape shown in FIG. 4 andincludes a first portion 252 extending through boss 82 into chamber 78,a second portion 252 extending along rear wall 156, a third portion 256extending forwardly from the lower end 258 of portion 253 toward frontwall 154 and a fourth portion 260 extending downwardly in housing 150 infront of a fixed pin 262 and behind contact 236. Pin 262 furnishessupport for the fourth portion 260 when it is contacted by contact 236.A first electrical lead 254 connects the first portion 252 of conductor238 to the light bulb 88 and a second lead 258 connects lead 254 (andconductor 238) to the light bulb 58. A third lead 262 connects bulb 58to a fixed electrical conductor 264 having an intermediate portion 266afiixed to rear wall 156, a lower portion 268 extending rearwardlythrough boss 82 into chamber 78 and a potrion 270 extending forwardly inhousing 150. A fourth lead 272 connects bulb 88 to an electricalconductor 274 having a portion 276 extending through boss 82 intochamber 78 and a portion 278 extending forwardly in housing 150 to aposition above leg 196 of bus bar 194 beside the forwardly extendingportion 270 of electrical conductor 264.

Portions 252, 268 and 276 of conductors 238, 264 and 274, respectively,are flat metal stampings and are each provided with an electricalcontact 279 for making an electrical connection with leads 254, 262 and272, respectively, by merely pulling the leads into position between apair of reversely-bent members 279a, 2793 and into engagement with aresilient member 2790 leaving an end 279d biased to a position between,and lying in approximately the same plane as, the members 279a, 279B,whereby the leads are firmly gripped by reverselybent members 279a,2791; and resilient member 2790.

Leads 254 and 272 for bulb 88 extend through hollow pin 28 on arm 24passing therethrough to accessory holder 86. Damage to leads 254 and 272due to unwanted rotation of arm 24 in boss 30 is prevented by limitingrotation thereof to approximately 180 by the coaction of finger 34 andstops 36 and 38.

Portions 270 and 278 of conductors 264 and 274, respectively, are madefrom a suitable conductor of electricity having sufiicient resilience topermit moving portions 270 and 278 into engagement with a moveablecontact member 280 for flexing it suificiently to bring a pair ofcontacts 282, 284 provided thereon into engagement With leg 196 of thebus bar 194. Movable contact member 280 includes a fixed portion 286which is afiixed to a boss 288 extending from rear wall 156. Moveablecontact member 280 includes an extension 290 to which a coil 292 of abuzzer 293 is connected by a lead 294. Coil 292 forms part of anelectro-magnet 296 carried by an L-shaped arm 298 formed on a bracket300 affixed to conductor 238 and rear wall 156 by suitable fasteningmeans 302. Magnet 296 includes an armature 304 adapted to attract abuzzer arm 306 when coil 292 is energized. Buzzer arm 306 is affixed tobracket 300 by a resilient contact-carrying conductor 308 provided withan electrical contact 310 normally biased into engagement with a fixedcontact 312. Contact 312 is provided on an arm 314 which is affixed tobracket 300 by an insulator 316. Fixed contact 312 is connected to coil292 by a lead 318 and resilient conductor 308 is electrically connectedto fixed conductor 238 by fastening means 302. Resilient conductor 308is connected to arm 306 by a first fastening means 322 and to bracket300 by a second fastening means 324.

Switch closing means 248 is reciprocably mounted in housing 150 andincludes a plate portion 326 having a lower, comparatively narrowportion 328 and an upper portion 330. The upper portion 330 includes alower end 332 which is approximately the same width as the lower portion326 at its junction therewith, an intermediate portion 334 increasing inwidth from end 332 in an upward direction and an upper portion 336.Three rearwardly-extending fingers 338, 340 and 342 are aflixed to theupper portion 336 of plate 326 for supporting switchactuating buttons344, 346 and 348, respectively, which are carried by upstanding pins350, 352 and 354 afiixed to fingers 338, 340 and 342, respectively.

If desired, buttons 344, 346 and 328 may be identical with each having apair of L-shaped fingers 356, 358. The finger 356 on button 344 and thefinger 358 on button 348 will then be redundant members. The finger 358on button 344 and finger 356 on button 346 are each adapted to moveportion 270 of conductor 264 into switch-closing engagement withmoveable conductor 280 and finger 358 on button 346 and finger 356 onbutton 348 are adapted to move portion 278 of fixed conductor 274 inlike manner when the associated buttons 344, 346 and 348 are depressed.Depressing the buttons 344, 346 and 348, either individually orcollectively, moves plate 326 downwardly in housing 150 causingprotuberance 246 to strike finger 244 on vibratile switch means 224. Thelower portion 328 of plate 326 is provided with an elongated slot 360engaging a fixed pin 362 for guiding plate 326 when it is reciprocatedwithin housing 150. Pin 362 is carried by a post 364 extending forwardlyfrom rear wall 156. Plate 326 is biased upwardly in housing 150 by atorsion spring 366 having a body portion 368 coiled about a post 370extending forwardly from rear wall 156, a first arm 372 engaged againstside wall 158 and a second arm 374 engaged under a tab 376 provided onplate 326.

A suitable electric accessory, such as the one shown diagramatically at378, may be electrically connected to back pack 84 by a pair of jacks380, 382 which are connected to accessory 378 by leads 384 and 386,respectively. Jack 380 may be inserted through an aperture 388, which isprovided in side wall 166, and placed in a circuit with buss bar 194 byengaging a tab 390 depending from leg 196 thereof. Jack 382 may beinserted through an aperture 392, which is provided in side wall 166,and placed in electric contact with vibratile switch means 224 byengaging the contact 220 provided on conductor 212. Apertures 388 and392 may be normally closed by a plate 394 reciprocably connected to sidewall 160 by a pair of tabs 396, 398 mounted in slots 399, 400,respectively, which are formed in side wall 160 between lands 402, 404and 404, 406, respectively. Plate 394 is provided with a pair ofapertures 408, 409 which become aligned with apertures 388 and 392,respectively, when plate 394 is slid upwardly in the direction of arrow410. Plate 394 may be suitably decorated by a simulated antenna 412enhancing the appearance of back pack 84.

In use, moveable conductor 280 will close a circuit to. coil 292 foractuating buzzer arm 306 regardless of which button 344, 346 or 348 isdepressed. Additionally, both light bulbs 58 and 88 will be illuminatedwhen button 346 is depressed, light of bulb 58 will be illuminated whenbutton 344 is depressed and light bulb 88 will be illuminated whenbutton 348- is depressed. However, vibratile contact means 224 willcause intermittant operation of bulbs 58 and 88 and buzzer arm 306because contact 236 vibrates into and out of engagement with conductor238.

While the particular figure toy and switch means combination hereinshown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction and design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims, which form a part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a figure toy having electricallyoperatedanimation means and switch means for supplying electric current to saidanimation means, said switch means comprising:

fixed contact means;

mechanically vibratile contact means having a nodal point andintermittently engageable with said fixed contact means when vibrating;

fixed pin means engaging said vibratile contact means at its nodalpoint;

circuit means connecting said contact means to said animation means andto said current supply means; and

movable switch-closing means engageable with said vibratile contactmeans for initiating vibration thereof and for causing it to pivot onsaid fixed pin means and continue to vibrate into and out of engagementwith said fixed contact means, whereby said animation means is rapidlyenergized and deenergized.

2. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said vibratile contactmeans carries a weight for increasing the vibration period.

3. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said vibratile contactmeans comprises:

a bifurcated member having a pair of legs and a neck portion,a'first-one of said legs being afiixed to a first portion of saidcircuit means and a second one of said legs carrying an electricalcontact engageable with said fixed contact means, said pin contactingsaid second leg; 1 a weight carried by said neck member; and

a finger extending from one of said legs in the path of travel of saidswitch-closing means for engagement thereby.

4. A combination as stated in claim 3 wherein said finger extends fromsaid first one of said legs.

5. A combination as stated in claim 4 wherein said finger is engageableby a protuberance provided on said switch-closing means.

6. A combination as stated in claim 5 wherein said animation meansincludes a first light bulb means mounted in said figure toy and a lensprovided in said figure toy in alignment with said first light bulbmeans, said lens means including means for directing light from saidfirst light bulb means away from said toy in a predetermined direction.

7. A combination as stated in claim 6 wherein said figure toy includesan arm and an accessory holder affixed to said arm, said animation meansincluding a second light bulb means mounted in said accessory means.

8. A combination as stated in claim 7 including accesory 'piecesconnectible to said accessory means for illuminantion by said secondlight bulb means.

9. A combinationas stated in claim 8 wherein said animation means alsoincludes an electric buzzer.

10. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said switch means ismounted in a housing simulating a back pack for said figure toy, saidback pack including means for connecting it to said figure toy.

11. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said animation meansincludes:

a light bulb means;

a light-transmitting elongated element in communication with said lightbulb means;

an illuminateable object afiixed to said elongated element; and

a conical recess formed in said object at its joinder with saidelongated element, said recess reflecting a portion of the light fromsaid bulb means into said object and transmitting a portion of saidlight through said object.

12. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said circuit meansincludes electrical contact means readlly connectible to electric leadmeans, comprising:

a flat metal conductor having a pair of reversely-bent members and aresilient member disposed between said reversely-bent members, saidresilient member being biased to a position lying in approximately thesame plane as said reversely-bent members, whereby said lead means maybe firmly gripped by said reversely-bent members and said resilientmember.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,310,037 2/1943 Reno 46226 X2,933,853 4/1960 Laval 46228 3,221,120 11/1965 Mooney et al. 335-903,232,004 2/1966 Felsher 46228 X FOREIGN PATENTS 584,648 11/1958 Italy.,

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R. 46ll6

